The DFW Metroplex has had a local AMSAT net for at least 35 years on the Arlington ARC repeater each Wednesday evening. It continues to be a great home for the net. I am a regular net control and have taken over the organization of the net following the passing of our late friend, Keith Pugh, W5IU.
The metro area has grown so much to the North and East however, that most likely, folks up in that area have no way to get into the Arlington machine which is in the southwest quadrant, which in some cases is over 60 miles away. I tried to engage a linked repeater group in the area but they were not willing to host a "Non-Affiliated net" on their system. The Arlington machine has no Internet connectivity for modes like Wires-X or other of the digital voice modes.
Thus I proposed to the Dallas Amateur Radio Club, of which I am a member, to let me host an AMSAT net-EAST. Dates will be every Tuesday at 8PM CT except the first Tuesday of the month. DARC does have an Echolink node on W5FC-R so it will allow for folks who can't hit it by RF, a chance still to get in with a local group of satellite enthusiasts. Oh yes, we will continue to host the West net on the Arlington machine as will. Yup, this is the same time as the Houston AMSAT net, which has an Echolink presence at the same time, but no intentional competition is intended. That is the slot DARC could give me. Our first DFW AMSAT East net is tomorrow, September 8th.
I am posting this here, because I am hoping to do something unique with this net. I want to have a 20 minute "Expert" section where satellite chasers, designers, rovers, data downloaders, antenna builders and more, can share their passion for certain aspects of the hobby. Having an Echolink connection to the repeater means it will be easy to draw from the larger AMSAT community, both here and abroad. If you would be interested in being a part of this one week, please do drop me a note off list and we can discuss and set up a week for you to present.
Hope yo can be a part of this new outreach venture.
Tom Schuessler, N5HYP
EM12ms